Electrical connector installation tool

Abstract

A connector installation tool includes an elongated body, a handle, a battery, and a c-shaped tool head. The elongated body includes a first end, a second end, and an axis extending therebetween. The handle includes a switch and is positioned proximate the first end. The switch is moveable between a first position and a second position. The battery is supported on the body and is configured to provide power to an actuator when the switch is in the first position. The C-shaped tool head is positioned proximate the second end. The c-shaped tool head includes a stop surface and a ram, and the ram is extendable toward the stop surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector installation tool comprising,
 a body having a first end and a second end;   a handle having a switch and positioned proximate the first end, the switch moveable between a first position and a second position;   a tool head positioned proximate the second end, the tool head including a fixed stop surface and a ram, the stop surface configured to be positioned adjacent a connector, the ram being extendable in a linear manner to exert a force in a direction toward the stop surface, the ram configured to be positioned adjacent a block, the ram configured to drive the block into a wedged position in which the block is wedge coupled between two conductors positioned within the connector, the tool head is pivotable through a range of at least 180 degrees about the second end; and   a conduit extending between an outer surface of the body and an outer surface of the tool head, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a pressurized fluid to drive the ram when the switch is in the first position.   
     
     
         2 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is positioned at least six feet away from the first end while the tool head is connected to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head further includes a spring configured to bias the ram away from the stop surface when the switch is in the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head includes a frame having the stop surface, the frame is fixed relative to the linear movement of the ram, and the pivoting of the tool head is configured to move the frame and the ram together. 
     
     
         5 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stop surface is perpendicular to an axis along which the ram is configured to translate. 
     
     
         6 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second end of the body includes a first opening;   the tool head includes a second opening;   a fastener is configured to be inserted through the first opening and the second opening, the fastener being adjustable between a loose position in which the tool head is permitted to pivot relative to the second end of the body and a tightened position in which the tool head is secured against movement relative to the second end of the body; and   the conduit is spaced apart from the first opening.   
     
     
         7 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head includes a C-shaped frame. 
     
     
         8 . The connector installation tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery removably connected to the first end of the body, wherein the battery is configured to be in electrical communication with the switch when connected to the body. 
     
     
         9 . A connector installation tool comprising,
 a body having a first end and a second end;   a conduit extending at least partially along the body to the second end;   a handle having a switch and positioned proximate the first end, the switch moveable between a first position and a second position;   a tool head positioned proximate the second end, the tool head including a fixed stop surface and a ram, the stop surface configured to be positioned adjacent a connector, the ram being extendable in a linear manner between a retracted position and an extended position to exert a force in a direction toward the stop surface; and   a spring disposed in the tool head and configured to bias the ram toward the retracted position when the switch is in the second position;   wherein the tool head is pivotable through a range of at least 180 degrees about the second end.   
     
     
         10 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein the tool head includes a C-shaped frame. 
     
     
         11 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein the tool head is positioned at least six feet away from the first end while the tool head is connected to the second end. 
     
     
         12 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein the tool head includes a frame having the stop surface, the frame is fixed relative to the linear movement of the ram, and the pivoting of the tool head is configured to move the frame and the ram together. 
     
     
         13 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein the stop surface is perpendicular to an axis along which the ram is configured to translate. 
     
     
         14 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the second end of the body includes a first opening;   the tool head includes a second opening;   a fastener is configured to be inserted through the first opening and the second opening, the fastener being adjustable between a loose position in which the tool head is permitted to pivot relative to the second end of the body and a tightened position in which the tool head is secured against movement relative to the second end of the body; and   the conduit is spaced apart from the first opening and the second opening and extends between an outer surface of the tool body and an outer surface of the tool head.   
     
     
         15 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , further comprising a battery removably connected to the first end of the body, wherein the battery is configured to be in electrical communication with the switch when connected to the body. 
     
     
         16 . The connector installation tool of  claim 9 , wherein the conduit extends between an outer surface of the body and an outer surface of the tool head. 
     
     
         17 . A connector installation tool comprising,
 a body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the body includes a first opening;   a conduit extending at least partially along the body;   an actuator disposed proximate the first end;   a battery supported on the body and in electrical communication with the actuator;   a tool head positioned proximate the second end, the tool head including,
 a fixed stop surface, 
 a ram extendable in a linear manner to exert a force in a direction toward the stop surface, 
 a second opening; and 
   a fastener is configured to be inserted through the first opening and the second opening, the fastener being adjustable between a loose position in which the tool head is permitted to pivot relative to the second end of the body and a tightened position in which the tool head is secured against movement relative to the second end of the body; and   wherein the conduit is spaced apart from the first opening and the second opening and extends between an outer surface of the tool body and an outer surface of the tool head.   
     
     
         18 . The connector installation tool of  claim 17 , wherein the tool head is pivotable through a range of at least 180 degrees about the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The connector installation tool of  claim 17 , wherein the tool head includes a C-shaped frame having the stop surface, the frame is fixed relative to the linear movement of the ram, and the pivoting of the tool head is configured to move the frame and the ram together. 
     
     
         20 . The connector installation tool of  claim 17 , wherein the tool head further includes a spring configured to bias the ram away from the stop surface when the actuator is not engaged.